Valerie Aurora, diversity and inclusion advocate, to speak at University of Richmond March 20

Aurora will give a talk titled “Focus on Allies: A New Approach to Diversity and Inclusion” on March 20 from 7-8 p.m. in Jepson Hall, Room 118. It is free and open to the public. Registration is requested.

As the founder of Frame Shift Consulting, Aurora helps organizations create an inclusive, effective and socially just organizational culture. Her company specializes in the technology industry.

Aurora is the lead creator of the Ally Skills Workshop, which focuses on teaching people with more power and influence how to support people with less. She co-founded the Ada Initiative and Double Union, non-profits supporting women in technology and the arts. Prior to that, she worked at Red Hat, IBM, Intel and other companies.

“Many diversity and inclusion initiatives focus on changing the behavior of targets of oppression,” said Kelly Shaw, University of Richmond associate professor of computer science and event organizer. “Valerie’s talk explains why we should instead focus on changing the behavior of influential allies.”

“The insight she is providing will resonate with numerous audiences, not just the tech community,” Shaw added.

“I think her talk will be dynamic, exciting and certainly relevant,” said Libby Gruner, associate dean for the school of Arts & Sciences and event organizer. “One of the benefits of a liberal arts education is the opportunity to learn from and with people who are different from you. Valerie’s talk will help us all do that better and more intentionally.”

The Office of the Provost, the School of Arts and Sciences, the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, Westhampton College, Richmond College and Common Ground are sponsors for this event.